22 Assyrian Christians who were captured by the self-proclaimed Islamic State in February have been released, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) has been told by what it claims is a 'reliable source'. The release was mediated by tribal leaders, they say. This group of Christians were taken captive in several villages on the banks of the Khabur river not far from Hassaka. The released Christians came from Tal Shamiram and Tal Jazirah. 14 of them are women, and all are elderly, reports claim. The BBC reported that 19 Christians from this group were released in February, all over the age of 50. However, Islamic State militants abducted dozens of Christians from the city of al-Qaryatain last week.

A key spiritual battleground

Moses commands Israel – "You shall not give any of your children to devote them by fire to Moloch" Lev 18:21. Moloch demanded child sacrifices – and parents and relatives gave them to this evil demon. It was an abomination. The Centre for Social Justice recently reported on "A growing group of children and young people whose family lives have broken down or who are in deep crisis." Violence, abuse, trauma, bullying, uncertainty, hopelessness – many of our teenagers are in a battle ground. The devil wants to destroy children, just as he did in Moses day. Jesus wants to rescue them and call them to himself. We are at war.

Alisha's story

Today twelve year old Alisha will have sex for the first time – she is nervous but she is eager to please her older boyfriend Dan who buys her drinks and gives her the attention she misses at home. Dan gradually introduces her to more of his friends and to drink and drugs and parties. He encourages her to have sex with his friends. When she refuses she is raped but she still loves Dan and he still loves her doesn't he? Alisha's story is mirrored across this land. Like many thousands of children she is a victim of sexual exploitation.

What is child sexual exploitation (CSE)?

Barnardos describe it as 'Where a young person is encouraged or forced to take part in a sexual act in exchange for something' (presents, money, attention). The most vulnerable are aged between 13 and 15 and may be boys or girls across all races and backgrounds. They may be from broken homes but they can be from loving, supporting homes. They may be from this country, or have been trafficked into the UK for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Trafficked children are kept as virtual prisoners. The NSPCC describes the story of a 14 year old from Central Africa trafficked into the UK on a passport for a 21 year old, repeatedly raped, badly beaten up, bewildered in a strange country. When she escaped she was imprisoned by the British Police for her fraudulent passport. She now suffers significant mental health problems.

How can we pray?

Pray for protection
Here are some key areas where CSE is most likely:

• Children with learning disabilities are targeted.
• Young people who go missing from home are picked up on the streets.
• On the internet young people are persuaded to send sexually explicit photographs of themselves.
• Children in care homes – 1% of children are in care but 24% of the adult prison population and 70% of our sex workers were in care homes. Care homes are targeted and children are manipulated and abused.
• Children in gangs – there is huge pressure on girls in gangs to have sex with a wide range of boys some as young as ten as part of initiating boys into the gang. Rape is a common weapon to intimidate rival gangs.
• Broken homes – abusers are manipulators – they convince victims that their families and friends don't love them and the abuser is the person that truly cares about them.

Patrick Regan of XLP reports on an increasing number of girls dragged into the appalling world of exploitation, criminality and hopelessness.

Pray for healing and release

Children caught up in sexual exploitation suffer. They become isolated from their families and friends, they get pregnant, they fail exams, are less likely to get jobs. They lose their confidence and sense of identity and suffer mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress, addiction, aggression and suicide. Lord have mercy.

Who can we pray for?

Most areas are forming multi-agency teams of Police, voluntary sector, social workers, mental health professionals to work together. Pray for unity, wisdom and peace – these are stressful positions. Pray for Christian agencies like Hope for Justice and Unseen who help trafficked children. Pray for youth workers and Christian teachers and parents to have discernment and wisdom – Lord brings these terrible works of darkness into the light

This is spiritual warfare

Satan is hateful, destructive, manipulative, violent, and a liar. Sexual exploitation starts with deception – pray and keep praying against the father of lies manipulating children. It moves on to sexual abuse, violence, addiction. Pray for this to be brought into the light and for children to be rescued.

This really is warfare – we need to see strongholds brought down, lives changed, and the chains broken. Warfare needs persistent, informed and determined prayer. Can you be a watchman for children in your neighbourhood, your local school or park? Prayer walk and listen to God that the children to come to Jesus.

What lies ahead?

The Professionals involved in this field are convinced we have only seen part of the picture. The numbers will grow and the knock on effect in terms of broken families, court cases, shocking tales in the press and more mental health issues will accelerate. We need to pray:

• Pray in your area for God's protection on children in abusive relationships where you live and work – have mercy Lord
• Pray that the enemy will not succeed in manipulating children – may his lies be exposed, the traffickers and abusers be imprisoned
• Blessing on the Police, social services, teachers, children's workers – make them protectors and rescuers.

Source:  World Prayer Centre

Back to School with God Sunday is a church service which is aimed at encouraging congregations to support their young people and school staff as they return to school after the summer break. It is a service which encourages prayer for local schools and those who attend them, and helps young people understand that God is not confined to church, but goes with them into the classroom.

Back to School with God Sunday resources are free to download, and easy for church leaders to use. An all-age service outline and accompanying PowerPoint slides are available, along with publicity materials so the service can be advertised to the local community. A 10-minute children's talk provides a short alternative for churches unable to commit to a whole Sunday service.

The theme of the 2015 Back to School with God Sunday service is the life of Peter, exploring how Peter took his first steps in following Jesus, fell out of step, then by receiving Jesus' amazing forgiveness, got back in step and kept following. Each point is related to the wider church family as well as the school context. Children and young people are invited to take part in the service by reading the Bible, leading prayers, sharing a testimony.

The hope is that churches will not just pray for and support children, young people, and those involved in education on one Sunday in the year, but will commit to ongoing, faithful prayer for their local school communities, registering such prayer with Pray for Schools. 

Source: SU Scotland